by Watch: ‘I’m on a gap year at 31 – it’s never too late to travel’
A 31-year-old woman taking a solo gap year is hoping to “break” the stigma of being only young.
India Jolly, from Plymouth, Devon, always wanted to travel around south-east Asia but every time she had the savings she went back to university to study instead.
After taking a permanent maternity cover job as a curator at a museum she took the opportunity to save money to travel and booked her flights before she could change her mind.
Jolly saved £11,000 for the trip and set sail for Bangkok, Thailand, in June 2024.
She hopes to spend four months traveling around Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam before heading to Australia on a work visa.
“It’s something I’ve wanted to do since I was 20,” she explains.
“It’s always been in the back of my mind, but whenever I’ve had the chance to save money to travel I’ve gone back to university.
“It still feels pretty surreal.”
Jolly first caught the travel bug when she spent five weeks in America after graduating with a history degree in 2016.
After seeing an elephant sanctuary on social media her heart set on traveling to Asia, but Jolly struggled to save.
“I started my master’s degree in history and finished in 2019,” she explains.
“It was the pandemic then. I didn’t have a good time and I went back to university again.
“I did a master’s in heritage in 2020.”
After getting a job for a year she knew she had to fight this time and booked a flight before she could change her mind.
She spent the year planning and saving and started her travels in June 2024.
Jolly hasn’t booked anything for the past few weeks for fear of making friends along the way and changing her ways a bit.
“I’m excited to go to Chiang Rai to see the temples,” she says.
“In Cambodia I want to do Angkor Wat.
“And they have these giant rats that are trained to find unexploded bombs.
“I have a big list of museums.
“I just love to learn things.”
India wants to encourage people to travel regardless of their age.
“There are so many assumptions,” she says.
“It’s accepted at 30 that you have to be married and have kids who aren’t traveling around.
“I’m trying to break those expectations.
“Societal pressures are all in our heads.”
Widening the gap for adults
After completing their studies many fresh-faced graduates consider taking a gap year before really getting old, but taking time off to travel isn’t just for youngsters.
Research by travel insurer AllClear of over-50s recently said they planned to travel more than before, while another poll, carried out by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), found that almost four in ten over 60s were heeding the wind and booking. the trip of a lifetime.
But what is driving this rise in mid-career travel?
Tour operator expert and founder of GP Traveler Rob Burley says there are many reasons adults are taking time off later in life rather than straight after college including many having the financial freedom to do so .
“A lot of travelers I meet on the road like to be financially stable first before their big trip,” he explains. “That way money worries don’t get in the way of an adventure!”
Having a little more life experience is another possible factor. “Adults often feel more prepared for challenges after living a little,” continues Burley. “And they are better at adapting when plans change.”
A number of mental health and wellbeing factors are also at play for many adult travellers.
“As professionals climb the career ladder, pressures and demands may arise, prompting individuals to step back and reassess their life priorities,” explains psychologist Barbara Santini.
“In contrast to the exploratory gap year of a younger person, adults often use this time for significant personal transformation or to escape the rigors of their normal working lives.
“Another factor is the demographic trend of delayed milestones,” says Santini. “Adults today, particularly in Western societies, are reaching life milestones such as marriage, home ownership, and child rearing later than previous generations. This delay provides a unique window in which to succeed gap year later in life possible and attractive.”
Of course the trend is also underpinned by changes in workplace dynamics and the digital revolution.
“The increase in remote work opportunities allows individuals to explore the world or spend time on personal projects without sacrificing their careers,” continues Santini. “Furthermore, there is an increased awareness and priority of work-life balance, which encourages taking breaks for personal development and health.”
Tips for taking a gap year
Strategic planning: Careful planning is essential to mitigate the impact on your livelihood. “Discuss possible sabbaticals with employers or consider transition points between jobs,” advises Santini.
Purposeful activities: Choose activities that align with your long-term goals. “Whether it’s further education, volunteer work or travel, make sure these activities enrich your personal or professional growth,” says Santini.
Financial preparedness: Establish a solid financial plan to finance your gap year. “Consider travel expenses, living expenses, and the possible lack of regular income,” suggests Santini. “Financial planning can make the difference between a stressful year and a fulfilling gap.”
Network maintenance: Santini recommends keeping in touch with professional contacts and maintaining an active presence in your professional community, even when you’re away from home. “This connectivity will ease the transition back into the workforce,” she says.
Flexibility is key: Expect bumps and embrace them. “An open mind helps you fully experience a place,” advises Burley.
Live it up! Be open to new people and adventures. “Some of my best memories came from spontaneous moments,” he says.
